Foreign volunteers joined Palestinian farmers on Tuesday to help harvest olive trees in the West Bank, amid mounting reports of settler violence during this year’s olive-picking season.

Omar Al-Ghani, the owner of an olive farm, said the presence of international volunteers provides a safety net against attacks by Israeli settlers.

"We are here in our olive groves because they come to help us, lift our spirits, and stand with us, making us feel more secure with their presence. If the army or settlers come and no one from outside is with us, then we have no rights," he said.

In the village of Kafr Malik, in the central West Bank, farmers’ lands lie close to a road used by settlers, where Palestinians report frequent confrontations.

"The settlers' attack the village, and not just Kafr Malik, but all areas without exception in the West Bank. Therefore, what is happening is causing a lot of harassment, especially during the olive harvest season in many areas," said Ali Salmeh, a member of the Kafr Malik village council.

The annual olive harvest, a vital part of the Palestinian economy and cultural life, has frequently been marred by confrontations between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, especially in areas near settlements.

AP video by Imad Isseid